Gorgasia is one of the two genera that belong to the subfamily Heterocongrinae (common name: garden eels). This genus is classified by the behavioral pattern of burrowing 75% of their bodies in the sandy substrate they live in and protruding their upper body into the water current above, giving the appearance that they are planted into the ground (origin of common name). This protruding behavior serves a multipurpose functionality to their survival.
The first function serves as a method of collection of their prey. Most members of this genus prey on zooplankton floating in the passing current, while some species (i.e. G. hawaiiensis) will prey on small fish eggs. The second function of the burrowing behavior allows for avoidance of predation. Whenever in the presence of a predator, most commonly the Pacific snake eel (Ophichthus triserialis), garden eels will retreat back into their burrows and hide. Similarly, during the night hours (non-light hours) when zooplankton populations are low, these eels will return to their burrows and cap them off while they sleep.
Other key characteristics of this genus includes colonial living species, sometimes with a density of up to 40 individuals in a meter-by-meter territory, as well as a metamorphosis stage between the egg stage and adulthood. Colonial living aides in evasion of predators and plays a vital role in their sexual reproduction.
Species There are 14 species that make up the genus Gorgasia. Each species is diverse in morphological patterning, hosting flat, spotted, freckled, and banded colorations, while still hosting some key defining morphology such as a short snout, large lips, large eyes, dagger shaped teeth, and a single fused anal, dorsal, and caudal ray fin. These species range in length from the shortest being around 40 cm and the longest around and have a body cavity typically staying around 10 millimeters in diameter.
The currently recognized species in this genus are:WoRMS. +Species and characteristicsSpeciesGeographically foundDepth found (m)Max body length (cm)Described byYear describedGorgasia barnesi (Barnes' garden eel)Western Pacific Ocean5–20121B. H. Robison & Lancraft1984Gorgasia cotroneiiWestern Indian Ocean -- --D'Ancona1928Gorgasia galzini (speckled garden eel)South Western Pacific Ocean17–5353Castle & J. E. Randall1999Gorgasia hawaiiensis (Hawaiian garden eel)Central Pacific Ocean (Hawaiian Coast)11–5360J. E. Randall & Chess1980Gorgasia inferomaculataEastern Atlantic Ocean -- --Blache1977Gorgasia japonica (Pacific spaghetti eel)Western Pacific Ocean30100 T. Abe, Miki & M. Asai1977Gorgasia klausewitzi (Klausewitz's garden eel)Indian Ocean170–22575Quéro & Saldanha1995Gorgasia maculata (whitespotted garden eel)Western Pacific Ocean25–4870 Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959Gorgasia naeocepaea (freckled garden eel)Central Pacific Ocean (Hawaiian Coast)10–2475J. E. Böhlke1951Gorgasia preclara (splendid garden eel)Indo-Western Pacific Ocean18–7540 J. E. Böhlke & J. E. Randal1981Gorgasia punctata (dotted garden eel)Eastern Pacific Ocean --50Meek & Hildebrand1923Gorgasia sillneriRed Sea / Indian Ocean --84Klausewitz1962Gorgasia taiwanensis (sharp-nose garden eel)Northwestern Pacific Ocean14–2274K. T. Shao1990Gorgasia thamani Central Pacific (Hawaiian Coast)14–15119D. W. Greenfield & Niesz2004
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